The F80EXR is Fuji’s followup to the popular F70EXR, and is a 12-megapixel point and shoot camera with a 10x optical zoom. The compact size and long reach of the F80EXR makes it a potentially attractive pocket camera.

To see if the F80EXR delivers in functionality and performance, read on. [Read more…]

The Kodak Z950 is a 12MP point and shoot camera with a 10x optical zoom. It has built-in optical image stabilization and features a large 3-inch LCD. What surprises me about the Z950 is the number of features and amount of control available in a camera at a price point around $200. [Read more…]

The Sony Cyber-shot TX7 is an ultra-compact point and shoot camera that is packed full of powerful features. To find out if the stellar feature list and spec sheet makes for a worthwhile camera, check out the review below. [Read more…]

While the Pentax Optio W90 has just been announced, I had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with a preproduction model of the new camera at CES 2010 last month. For my first impressions on the 12MP deathproof camera, keep reading. [Read more…]

The Sony A850 and A900 are full frame cameras that pack in 24.6-megapixels on that big sensor. The cameras appear at the top-end of the Alpha system line up. At first blush, the A850 appears almost identical to the pricier Sony A900. After delving deeper into the A850, you’ll discover that there’s really not a whole lot of difference between it and the A900.

Because of the similarities between these two cameras and the fact that I reviewed them simultaneous, I decided to publish one review for both cameras rather than than two separate reviews with only minor changes in the text. [Read more…]

The Canon EOS 7D is a 18-megapixel DSLR featuring an APS-C format CMOS sensor. At the time of its release, the 7D is situated in the EOS lineup between the 50D and the 5D Mark II.

The Canon 7D brings a number of improvements and new features to the Canon prosumer lineup. Taking these advancements into account, Canon has finally produced a DSLR whose specs outshine its Nikon counterpart – in this case the Nikon D300s. [Read more…]

The Sony A550 is a 14.2-megapixel DSLR that boils down to a more expensive entry-level camera. As with other Sony Alpha DSLRs, the A550 features a built-in stabilization system that uses sensor-shift functions rather than lens-based stabilization. As a result, every lens you attach to the camera benefits from image stabilization – as opposed to Canon and Nikon, for which you must buy “stabilized lenses” that can be more expensive.

Another familiar feature on the Sony A550 is the articulating LCD screen. Like the lower-level models, the A330 and A380, the A550’s LCD will tilt up and down, allowing you to hold the camera up high or down low and still be able to easily see the LCD screen.

A tilting LCD screen wouldn’t be much use without the ability to compose your scene on it. Again, the A550 offers the same Live View system that I have loved since it was originally introduced on the A300 and A350. In my opinion, no one does DSLR Live View better than Sony. It just works intuitively and feels very natural for those moving from point and shoot cameras. [Read more…]

The Canon SX20 IS features a 20x optical zoom lens and is paired with a 12-megapixel sensor. As a point & shoot camera, it is often referred to as a “bridge” camera, somewhere between compact cameras that go in your pocket and the even larger DSLRs that use interchangeable lenses.

The SX20 IS offers many advanced features that help it live up to the “bridge” camera designation, including a hotshoe for using external flashes (like the Canon 270EX), 720p HD video capture and high quality UD glass in the lens. Speaking of the lens, the 20x stabilized zoom lens covers the equivalent focal length of 28-560mm on a traditional 35mm-format camera.

For the sake convenience, the Canon SX20 IS uses (4) AA batteries for power. While you can pop in alkaline batteries that can be found virtually anywhere, I would recommend using rechargeable batteries to ease the cost of use over the long term. [Read more…]